Toothbrush



Oct. 14,1958 H. M. GRAHAM TOOTHBRUSH 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 19,1956 Herbert M. Graham INVENTOR.

BY MfiM Oct. 14, 1958 H. M. GRAHAM TOOTHBRUSH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 19, 95s

INVENTOR.

Oct. 14, 1958 H. M. GRAHAM 2,855,619

TOOTHBRUSH Filed April 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.6

Fig. 4

Herb err M. Graham IN V EN TOR.

Usiee w l e 2,855,619 TOOTHBRUSH Herbert M. Graham, Sacramento, Calif.

Application April 19, 1956, Serial No. 57,2l8 8 Claims. c1. 15-429 Thisinvention relates to oral hygiene devices and particularly to atoothbrush and holder combination which selectively delivers water andan additive such as toothpaste, to the mouth of the user.

An object of the invention is to provide a practical toothbrush andholder combination which is capable of being produced by practicalmanufacturing methods in a small, lightweight condition, the devicebeing arranged to deliver at the option of the user liquid underpressure through the head of the toothbrush or liquid mixed with anadditive which may be selected by the user.

It is understood that tooth cleaning appliances of the fountain brushtype have been constructed in the past. Accordingly, it is a furtherobject of the invention to provide an improved fountain type toothbrushwhere the control for the passage of liquid through the toothbrush ismost accessible to the user, it being located immediately below one ormore of the fingers of the user when the device is held in the hand.Mere squeezing of the holder opens the normally closed valve to admitWater into the passage of the holder and passageway of the removablycarried toothbrush in the holder.

A further objector the invention is to provide a combination toothbrushand holder wherein the toothbrush is easily separated from the holderand securely locked in the holder by a novel latch construction, thelatter being openable by rotating a single lever several degrees andclosed by rotating the same lever the same distance in the oppositedirection.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a'part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a room wherein a typicalsink is located, an embodiment of the invention being mountedoperatively in connection with it;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the teeth cleaning devicewhich exemplifies the principles of the invention;

Figure 3 is an elevational side view of the device in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of the holder for the toothbrush, some partsbeing shown in section and illustrating particularly the condition ofthe latch when theto'oth brush is capable of being inserted or removedfrom the holder; 7

Figure 5 is a side View of a toothbrush adapted to be held by theholder, parts of the toothbrush being shown in section;

Figure 6 is an-elevationalfront View of the device in ur Figure- 7 is aserevahehaihack view of the device or Figure 6;

2,855,619 Patented Oct. 14, 1958 Figure 8 is a transverse sectional viewtaken on the line 8--8 of Figure 2; and I H Figure 9 is a perspectiveview of a part of the valve for the control of water through the holderand toothbrush for ultimate emissioii into the mouth of the user.

In Figure 1 there is a sink 10 mounted on wall 12, the sink havingcontrols 14 and 16 which are used to select the temperature of watermixture which passes through the outlet pipe 16 and into the sink 10,This is but one type of many presently available arrarigemen'ts forwater under pressure. Accordingly the with its controls and water outletpipe 16 is intendedto be a schematic representation 'of any standardplumbing fixture capable of serving as a water supplyfor the water line18. This water line has means at oneend for detachably connecting to'thewater outlet pipe 16. For example the means may assume the form of abell 20 of suitable, flexible material, for example rubber. The bell isfrictionally fitted over the end of pipe 16 so that the water line 18 issupplied with water under pressure depending on the setting ofthecontrols 14 or 16 As a companion to the water line 18 there is aconductor 22, the latter being secured to the line 18 for a considerablepart of the length of the linefor convenience. It is preferred althoughnotessential, that both line 18 and conductor 20 be madeof flexibletubing. The function of conductor 22 is tosupply an additive to thedevice 24 While the funetion ohli ne 18 is to supplywater under pressurethereinto. Therefore, a manually operable pump is in container 2 6 andis adapted to be operated by depression of handle 28. Container 26 has asupply of an additive for the liquid which passes through the teethcleaning device 24. This additive may be liquid toothpaste, powdertoothpaste or other liquid or powder such as a medication or cosmeticpreparation. Mounting bracket 30 is on wall 12 and has means detachablysecuring the container 26 to it. I p

The teethcleaning device 24 consists of holder 32 and brush 34. I Thebrush is of approximately standard form having a handle 38 together witha head 40 at one end of it. The head has tufts ofbristles between whichthere are orifices 42 that are in registry with a water manifold 44 inthe head of the brush. This manifold consists of the outer end of theliquid passageway 46 which extends completely through the longitudinalhandle as and into the head 40 of the brush. The outer end of handle 38'is preferably smoothly curved as at 47 (Figure 5) in order to seat Wellon the yielding seat 48 that is located in holder 32.

Holder 32 comprises a body 50- that has a sleeve 52 protruding therefromand fitting around a part of body 50. The U-shaped end 54 of sleeve 52is juiitaposed over three sidesof the body 50. Cover 56 is disposed overportions of two of the sides ofthe body 50' and the fourth side thereof.The cover 56 is shaped to fit neatly in the hand of the user and has apair of bolts 58 Which holds it fastened to body 50. Handle 38 of thetoothbrush is located in bore of sleeve 52, the dimensioning of thehandle and the bore being such thatthe handle fits snugly therein. Whenpressed gently into the bore of sleeve 52 the curved end 47 of thehandle 38 presses on the flexible, for example rubber, seat 48, Seat 48has an aperture in it which is inregistry with the passageway 46. Alongitudinal passage 60 is formed in body 50 and is in communicationwith the aperture of a small plate 66 and having an angulated end wall67, is adapted to be pressed into the notch 62 in order to hold thetoothbrush firmly in place. When in the latched condition theangulated'walls 64 and 67 are nested with each other (Figure 2). A lever68 is pivoted on a pin 70 to the exterior of sleeve 52 near the opening72 therein. This pin is mounted in ears that are carried by the sleeve52, whereby the lever 68 is capable of swinging movement toward and awayfrom the holder 32. A link, for example a U-shaped lightweight, wire 74is pivoted at one end to the lever 68 and pivoted at the opposite endsto the keeper 66. When the lever 68 is swung outwardly to the positionshown in Figure 4 the keeper plate 66 slides outwardly from beneath apart of sleeve 52 and from within the notch 62. When the lever 68 isswung in the opposite direction the keeper plate 66 is swung inwardlyand downwardly fitting in the small pocket (Figure 2) 75 which is formedby wall 64 of notch 62, a part of the innermost wall of notch 62 and theinner surface of a part of the sleeve 52.

A valve 78 is carried by the holder 32 and constitutes a part thereof.The valve consists of a stem 79 having a threaded end 80 on which thevalve element 82 is threaded. Stem 79 is operable in a bore 83 which isarranged generally parallel to the passage 60. Spring 84 holds the valve78 in the normally closed position and is disposed in a counterbore 85,the counterbore being-in alignment with bore 83. This spring seats uponthe end of counterbore 85 and on a sliding block 86 to which the outerend of stem 79 is secured. A pilot rod 88.is fixed to an offset part ofthe sliding block 86 and is operable in a passage 87 parallel to bore83. Ali?! ture 90 is formed in sliding block 86 in order to connectlinks 91 and 92 thereto by means of a pivot pin. The outer ends of links91 and 92 are pivoted to link 93, the latter being mounted for pivotalmovement on pin 94 that is carried by brackets on the outer surface ofsleeve 52 near the opening 72 in this sleeve.

A valve chamber 96 is formed in the body 50 and ha the valve 78 operabletherein. This valve chamber has a valve seat 97 in it between its ends,one end of the valve chamber being in registry with the passage 60 sothat the valve 78 controls the flow through passage 68. Coupling 98 isthreaded on a part of the body 50 at valve chamber 98, this couplinghaving water line 18 attached to it for operative connection with holder32.

The conductor 22 has an end fitted over the nipple 100, the latter beingpart of a right angular coupling 102 in which there is a normally closedcheck valve 104. This right angle connector is threaded in the body 59and has its passage in registry with the lower end of passage 60.

In use the device is held in the hand with holder 32 arranged such thatthe link 93 is beneath at least one of the users fingers. With the otherhand the user depresses pump actuator knob 28 so that a charge of liquidor powder passes through the conductor 22, check valve 104 and intopassage 60 where it is mixed with the Water flowing into the head of thetoothbrush. After experiencing the device the prerogative of the userwill be exercised in how to administer oral hygienic treatment tohimself. Inherent in the described embodiment of the invention issuflicient versatility for performing a number of approved functions inoral and dental hygience.

In order to remove the toothbrush for one reason or another, theactuation of lever 68 from the position shown in Figure 2 to theposition shown in Figure 4 is all that is necessary. Then the toothbrushis capable principles of the invention. Further, since numerousmodifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact constructionand operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within thescope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a teeth cleaning device, a toothbrush having a handle providedwith a passageway which opens adjacent to the bristles thereof, a holderfor said brush handle and including a sleeve in which said handle isseparately disposed, said sleeve having an opening in one wall, a keepersized for reception in said opening, said handle having a notch in whichsaid keeper is adapted to lock, a lever pivoted to said sleeve near saidopening, a link extending through said opening and pivoted to said leverand said keeper to move said keeper in response to movement of saidlever, a passage in said holder communicating with said passageway, awater line, a valve chamber connecting said passage with said Waterline, and a manually operable and normally closed valve in said valvechamber.

2. In a teeth cleaning device, a toothbrush having a handle providedwith a passageway which opens adjacent to the bristles thereof, a holderfor said brush handle and including a sleeve in which said handle isseparably disposed, said sleeve having an opening in one Wall, a keepersized for reception in said opening, said handle having a notch in whichsaid keeper is adapted to lock, a lever pivoted to said sleeve near saidopening, a link extending through said opening and pivoted to said leverand said keeper to move said keeper in response to movement of saidlever, a passage in said holder communicating with said passageway, aWater line, a valve chamber connecting said passageway with said waterline, a manually operable and normally closed valve in said valvechamber, and means including a linkage connected to said valve and saidholder for opening'said valve.

3. In a teeth cleaning device, a toothbrush having a handle providedwith a passageway which opens adjacent to the bristles thereof, a holderfor said br'ush handle and including a sleeve in which said handle isseparably disposed, said sleeve having an opening in one wall, a keepersized for reception in said opening, said handle having a notch in whichsaid keeper is adapted to lock, a lever pivoted to said sleeve near saidopening, a link extending through said opening and pivoted to said leverand said keeper to move said keeper in response to movement of saidlever, a passage in said holder communicating with said passageway, aWater line, a manually operable and normally closed valve in said valvechamber, means including a linkage connected to said valve and saidholder for opening said valve, a pump, and a conductor extending fromsaid pump to said passage to deliver an additive to said passage.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said conductor and said water linecomprise at least in part a pair of flexible tubes.

of being easily slid from sleeve 42 for either cleansing or replacement.To replace the toothbrush it is slipped into the sleeve 52 and the lever68 returned from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown inFigure 2. This automatically brings the keeper plate 66 Into engagementwith notch 62.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 5. Incombination, a toothbrush having a handle and a head, a passagewayextending through said handle and opening at said head adjacent to thebristles thereon, a holder for said toothbrush handle and comprising abody. a sleeve connected with said body and accommodating said handle ofsaid toothbrush, said sleeve and body having a passage which is inregistry with said passage- Way-in said handle when said handle islocated in said sleeve, means to latch said toothbrush handle in saidsleeve and including a latch keeper, means for displacing said latchkeeper, said toothbrush handle having a notch in which to accommodatesaid latch keeper, a valve carried by said body, means depressible bythe same hand which holds the holder for opening said valve,

1 means'operatively associated with said body for holding a fluid linein communication with said valve so that said valve controls the passageof fluid into said body, said valve being in registry with said passage,and means for introducing an additive to the fluid downstream of saidvalve.

6. In combination, a toothbrush having a handle and a head, a passagewayextending through said handle and opening at said head adjacent to thebristles thereon, a holder for said toothbrush handle and comprising abody, a sleeve connected With said body and accommodating said handle ofsaid toothbrush, said sleeve and body having a passage which is inregistry with said passageway in said handle when said handle is locatedin said sleeve, means to latch said toothbrush handle in said sleeve andincluding a latch keeper, means for displacing said latch keeper, saidtoothbrush handle having a notch in which to accommodate said latchkeeper, a valve carried by said body, means depressible by the same handwhich holds the holder for opening said valve, means operativelyassociated with said body for holding a fluid line in communication withsaid valve so that said valve controls the passage of fluid into saidbody, said valve being in registry with said passage, means forintroducing an additive to the fluid downstream of said valve, saidadditive introducing means including a conductor, means for issuing theadditive under pressure through said conductor, a check valve in saidconductor, and a passageway extending from said check valve into saidpassage.

'7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said valve opening means includesa hand movable link, a pair of links operatively connected to the firstmentioned link, a valve stem, a sliding member to which said pair oflinks are pivoted and to which said valve stem is attached, and a springreacting on said body and said sliding member normally holding saidvalve in the closed position. I

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said sliding mmeber has a pilotrod secured to it and said body has a passage in which said pilot rod isslidable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,175,438 Gzupkaytie Mar. 14, 1916 2,303,667 Taborski Dec. 1, 19422,508,958 Manville May 23, 1950 2,537,377 Soss Jan. 9, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS 513,013 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1939 687,746 Germany Feb. 15, 1940852,547 France Oct. 30, 1939 1,102,074 France May 4, 1955

